Dolls at the Top of the Stairs

We all woke up early this morning.

Manny was going to do some maintenance work on our bus, 

and Hannah and I were going to a birthday party in the park 

and then to a Fall Festival at the local college.

I fixed her scrambled eggs and grits - her favorite breakfast food

and she had organic chocolate milk to drink.

She had a great time at the birthday party and was a hit, literally, with the Piñata

 Then we went to the Fall Festival...

Hannah found a cute little angel and a cute little stocking with a ballerina on it

but she didn't want them for herself she wanted them for her sister Sarah ♥

The vendors who were selling the stockings were so touched when they found out 

Hannah was getting it for her baby sister and not for herself

that they gave her the matching one to keep for herself

The festival was very nice, but it was also very crowded and very hot :0(

so we didn't stay long, but we did get an Italian Ice before we left.

When I got back home, after I had dropped Hannah off at her house

this was waiting for me at the top of the stairs

I'm not sure if she got distracted while she was putting them away or if she left them on purpose 

but they were a sweet reminder that she had been here with her beautiful smile and her heart full of love ♥

This is my last picture for today 

Caught Milli in a silly pose in her bed 

Happy Birthday Times Three

Today we celebrated three birthdays

our older son's, his wife's and our other daughter-in-law's.

They all have birthdays in October.

So we picked a night we could all get together

and we celebrated with a wonderful dinner and cupcakes for dessert.

I baked three different kinds - white, chocolate, and strawberry

YUM!!!

I'm especially proud of these Owl cupcakes, ha ha
I saw a picture of them online and just had to make some
in honor of the new business I just launched

I adore this picture. Hannah just looks so mature 
with her hair and her glasses, and her daddy is in deep conversation
(I love when our family is together around the table and talking) 

I let the girls create their very own lockets for their birthdays

Then we were back at the table for the dessert 
Meagan, Ethan, Mark 

Manuel, Hannah, Darla, Sarah (Sarah was trying real hard to look at the camera)

Hannah got to spend the night with us
and she insisted on helping me tidy up after everyone left.
She is a wonderful helper!

Then it was bathtime and bed, but first she had to organize her stuff

And now, in her jammies and slippers

By the way, this rocker use to be mine when I was a little girl :0)

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day and for so much to be thankful for!

Second Chances

I'm realizing more and more what a blessing grandchildren are.

They are God's way of giving us second chances for the mess-ups we made with our kids.

I always tried to be a good mom, even so - I know I made a lot of mistakes.

But my kids were always a priority...for my husband, too. I think that's important. 

Still, I was nervous and impatient. 

I thought my house had to be spotless and our children had to behave perfectly.

I would freak out if they got off their schedule.

My husband and I were always wondering if we were raising them right. 

We were strict but we realized the importance of laying a good foundation 

while they were young, and consequently, when they got into the teenage years 

it was not a nightmare...it does not have to be!

But I see with our grandchildren that I am

-way more patient

- more relaxed about what doesn't get done when they are around

- realize that things don't matter...only people matter

- realize how incredibly fast the years go by

although, my husband and I were conscious of that when we were raising our kids

still, as a grandparent, you look at life with a different perspective.

I hope my children forgive me for the mistakes I've made along the way.

They will be better at those things but they will still make mistakes of their own.

That's life I suppose.

Thank you, Jesus, for my family!

Living Lockets

Today was another one of those busy days running errands

but it was fun, too, because I dropped off some of my catalogs 

and showed people my locket.

This is the one I created to tell my story.
In mine I have the "Blessed" plate, a Crystal Cross, my initial "D", 
a Paw (for Milli), Birthstone Charms for my grandchildren, 
and one for my husband and I who share the same birth month,
also a Key to represent our business. 
The separate "Tree" charm is actually called a dangle.
I chose this one - the Tree of Life
the back of it says, "Life is a Gift"

I think I am really going to enjoy sharing this concept with people
and helping them create their own story.

What would you put into your locket?

Decisions, Decisions

I'm listening to the presidential debate as I type this 

(before the midnight hour arrives).

It is getting pretty heated.
I listen because I care! 

I care about the future of our nation, 

and I especially care about the future of my grandchildren.

 I am a Christian and I believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God

and I know that no matter what happens in this nation

or on planet earth for that matter - that God is in control,

but I also believe that God has given us a responsibility to stay informed, 

to stay involved, and to do our best to make a difference.

We cannot bury our heads in the sand!

Ultimately we have to answer to God.

Enough said!

Rufus went home today...

But before he did I got a few more pics

Notice who's in the background

Oooh, he sees his mommy outside

He was so happy to see her!

Until next time Big Boy...We love you ♥

Precious Jewels

Mega exciting day today...my business package arrived

(notice the paw in the upper right-hand corner...Rufus was checking it out, too)

I've gotta tell ya, this was like Christmas :0)

I still have labels to print and lots to do, but I'm super excited!

As everything was spread out on the table for me to organize,

and while I was answering call after call (for our other business)

I got an unexpected happy call from my oldest son

(yes, the birthday boy from yesterday).

He called to see if we'd like to spend the evening with a couple of lovely ladies :0)

When papa found out, he got very happy, too!

He made a stop on the way home to pick up a project for him and Hannah to do.

Sarah was not impressed. She just wanted her mommy. 

She hasn't figure out yet, how much fun Papa and Grandma Dee can be.

So here is the finished project

A sweet jewelry box made out of wood

 Then it was bath time for both the girls.

Hannah likes nighttime and she loves things that light up.

This is one of those glow sticks that you snap and it lights up for a few hours.

  

Sarah had some milk and then fell asleep

(My husband has always been a good dad, but he is an AMAZING Grandpa!)

  

She slept a little while and when she woke up she was happy

for a little while, that is

but then her mommy came back and she was all smiles :0)

 I am very excited about my new jewelry business

but my most precious jewels are these two little girls and a boy named Ethan :0)

Happy Birthday Firstborn

Thirty-three years ago, I was in agony - I had been in labor for 18 hours

and little did I know, I had a few more hours to go.

Then just before midnight, my life was forever changed...

I became a mother.

It's really hard to believe so many years have passed.

Now my first baby, has two of his own.

He's grown into a wonderful young man.

His father and I are very proud of him and we are extremely thankful 

for God's hand of blessing in and on our son's life.

 Two Months

One Year

First Trip to Disney

Young Boy

Teenager (Just got Milli)

Gets Married

Graduates College

Becomes a daddy

Turns 30

And then there were two